The University of Mississippi now offers professional educators in Grenada and surrounding counties an opportunity to complete their master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in elementary education. Members of this cohort will attend two graduate-level classes per week in the evenings at the Holmes-Grenada Center. By following a specific course rotation that includes summer sessions, students will be able to complete their degrees in December 2008.
The UM Division of Outreach and the School of Education also plan to offer area educators courses that will allow them to become school administrators through the master’s of educational leadership program. Plans are in development to admit a cohort into this program starting in summer 2008. Junior-level course work for those Holmes-Grenada students who would like to complete a bachelor’s degree in education may begin as soon as the fall semester of 2008.
In trying to meet the needs of area educators with busy schedules at work and at home, the University of Mississippi seeks to assist those professionals who would like to pursue post-baccalaureate degrees through these flexible programs.
This type of program has been successful at many colleges and universities in the United States, and students typically give positive evaluations to such programs. Participants in cohort programs can develop a learning relationship with other students in the courses, often providing peer support and encouragement for each other as they complete college classes.